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Duffel Bag Abandoned At Mexico Border Contained Something Unexpected

U.S. Border Patrol agents working along Texas' southern boundary with Mexico thwarted a smuggling attempt this week — saving a precious little life in the process.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection

On Monday, the agents from Brownsville, Texas, on patrol near the Rio Grande, encountered three individuals attempting to cross into the U.S. illegally. The undocumented immigrants were carrying a black duffel bag.

Crammed there inside the duffel bag was a 3- to 4-month-old tiger cub — seemingly unconscious, but fortunately still alive.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection

The agents then transported the tiger cub to Brownsville's Gladys Porter Zoo.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection

It's unclear if the would-be smugglers had drugged the cub to sedate him, but thankfully he was stabilized and soon came to.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection

In an update from Border Patrol communications director Irma Chapa, the tiger cub is "doing great" and is expected to make a full recovery.

Irma Chapa

Sadly, this cub may remain in captivity at a zoo, raised without his natural mother — but it's likely a better fate than the one that had awaited him had he not been rescued.

There are anestimated 5,000 tigers in the United States, compared to around 3,200 tigers in the wild. Many of these animals, sourced from smuggling attempts like this one, have ended up under private ownership, are forced to perform at unscrupulousroadside zoos, or have even disappeared completely.